WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cancer survivors in Canada are more
likely to be obese and less likely to exercise than the rest of
the population -- putting themselves at risk of having their
cancers come back, researchers said on Monday.

The trends, likely to be seen in cancer survivors around
the world, suggest patients need help and support in staying
active and keeping the weight off, said Kerry Courneya of the
University of Alberta in Edmonton, who led the study.

"It's a challenge for all of us to eat properly and
exercise, and it may be especially challenging for cancer
survivors who have been through difficult treatments and may
have lingering health issues," Courneya said in a statement.

"But eating well and exercising are two of the best things
we can do for our mental and physical health, even in trying
times. Rest is rarely the best medicine for any health
condition."

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Courneya and colleagues analyzed data from a 2005 survey of
more than 114,000 adults.

Fewer than 22 percent of former cancer patients described
themselves as physically active. This compares with 25 percent
of the general Canadian population, they reported in the
journal Cancer.

They also found that 18 percent of cancer survivors were
medically obese, compared to 15 percent of the general
population, and 34 percent were overweight.

Many cancers are linked with obesity and a lack of
exercise.

"These findings tell us that we need to look at ways to
better support cancer survivors to become more active and to
maintain a healthy body weight," Courneya said.

"We know that physical inactivity and obesity are risk
factors for developing cancer. These are also risk factors for
the recurrence of cancer. Lifestyle is just as important after
diagnosis."

The researchers defined someone as physically active if
they walked at least an hour a day or did the equivalent in
swimming, cycling or some other activity. Inactive people
walked or exercised less than 30 minutes a day.